Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!-Chapter 653: Covered in His Scent

Everett leaned in—his face was almost touching hers. Aurora quickly raised her hands to push him away, but he grabbed them and pinned her against the seat.

"W-what are you doing?!" Aurora was stunned and panicked, afraid he might actually try something right here in the car.

"I just want to... test something. To see if you like me or not."

Everett frowned and kissed her. Aurora’s eyes flew open. This emotionally clueless man—what kind of "test" was this?!

Their lips met. Aurora clenched her teeth tight, refusing to let him go further.

The air suddenly felt thick and hot. Even her clothes seemed to be heating up.

His body warmth radiated over to her, making her tremble. He took advantage of that moment and deepened the kiss.

Aurora let out a muffled protest, her brain fogging up—like she couldn’t breathe.

His scent was everywhere, surrounding her.

Her body shook. And just when she was on the verge of losing all sense of reason, he pulled away and pressed his ear against her chest—listening to her heartbeat.

Thump thump... Fast and erratic.

Everett looked up and studied her closely. Her cheeks were flushed a vivid red, like sunset clouds painted on her face—gorgeous and glowing.

Her eyes were slightly dazed. It only lasted a second, but it meant that just now... she hadn’t completely rejected him, right?

She trembled. Her eyes now burned with anger and fear.

"Everett! You pervert!"

Her hands were still pinned above her head. Everett just smirked—cocky and shameless. "You do like me. Your face is super red, and your heart’s racing. I know—if a woman doesn’t love a man, she’ll feel disgusted when he kisses her. Her heart wouldn’t be pounding like this..."

He smiled like a three-year-old who just got what he wanted.

"Everett, you’re talking nonsense! I don’t like you!" Aurora shouted, furious and shaking all over. "I’ve just had too little experience with men—that’s the only reason! I’m telling you one more time! Everett! Let. Me. Go!"

Seeing her face twisted in rage, Everett suddenly felt something unexpected—defeat.

His whole life had been one win after another, aside from his mother’s influence. Everything always went smoothly. He never hit roadblocks.

But now, with this woman, he felt completely lost.

Force her again?

No. That wasn’t the kind of love or happiness he wanted.

Even though his body was already reacting, Everett slowly released her hands.

Aurora, red-faced with fury, shoved him away and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"No need," Everett said quietly. "I’ll take you back to the hotel."

He slumped back into his seat, face red and tense, lips curled into a bitter smile. "So it’s been one-sided this whole time. Fine. Let me ask you one more time—are you really not going to be with me?"

"No way!" Aurora snapped. "Let me out. I don’t want to be in your car!"

"And what, you think you’ve got money on you?" Everett said with a sarcastic twist of his lips. "Relax, I’m not going to treat you like I did before."

He wasn’t a monster. He’d been ignorant back then—but now, he got it.

He turned the car around and headed back the way they came.

Aurora’s chest rose and fell rapidly. The taste of Everett still lingered on her lips. She thought about that split second—how she’d gone weak, how she’d lost control. She shuddered.

Had she... actually felt something?

No, no. That was just a physical reaction. She shouldn’t start doubting herself.

How could she possibly accept a man who had once forced himself on her?

Everett looked calm now, but his face was still terrifying. His grip on the steering wheel was so tight his veins bulged. His lips were a tight line. His whole expression was cold, dark.

Aurora lowered her gaze. Deep down, she knew—he wasn’t a terrible person. But from the very start, he had hurt her.

She couldn’t let it go. Just sitting beside him made her whole body tense up.

She didn’t want to think about it anymore. She turned to the window. The scenery flew past, and even under the foreign sky of this country, everything felt cold and distant.

When they reached the front of the hotel, Aurora got out. Everett spun the car around and sped off without a word.

Aurora stood frozen, staring at the hotel entrance. She finally started walking—but her steps felt strangely heavy...

Aurora asked the front desk about Director Z’s private room, and by the time she got there, the two big tables inside were still full of people just chatting and joking around—no one had started eating yet.

When they saw Aurora walk back in, everyone gave her these half-smiling, knowing looks—like they were in on some secret.

"Aurora! You’re back?" Selene piped up loudly, clearly enjoying the drama. "Weren’t you with Everett just now?"

Aurora shook her head. "That’s not what happened." ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"But I saw you get into his car!" Selene said, a little too eagerly.

Her assistant, sitting beside her, discreetly pinched her to get her to shut up. Selene finally realized she was being too loud and gave an awkward laugh. "Oh—then I must’ve been seeing things. Haha..."

Dominic quickly stood to greet Aurora, and she asked the waiter to bring over an extra chair.

"Aurora, want to order something? I heard this hotel is top-notch. Their Country S cuisine is legit—apparently, they poached some top chefs straight from Country S," Amanda said, handing her the menu.

Aurora shook her head. "No need, you guys order whatever. I’m not picky."

Everyone chuckled. A few of the men even complimented her for being so easygoing and chill.

The waiter brought over the chair, and Aurora sat down next to Dominic. Director Z chatted happily with everyone.

"Everett, now he’s probably the most naturally talented part-time actor I’ve ever seen," Z said. "Never had any formal training, but the guy just reads a script and gets it—like, really gets it. Totally becomes the character. You pros—actors, singers—you should really learn a thing or two from him."

Aurora lowered her head, something about those words hitting a sore spot.

"How can we compare with Everett?" Amanda said with a smile. "He’s had a completely different kind of upbringing. Some people are just born with it. No matter how hard we try, we’ll always be a few steps behind."

The other performers all chimed in, nodding and agreeing.

Aurora stayed quiet, clearly not in the best mood. Dominic, ever the troublemaker, leaned over and whispered with a smirk, "Aurora, where exactly did Everett take you? Your face is super red—did you have a drink? Or... did he kiss you?"

Even though Dominic had kept his voice low, it landed in Aurora’s mind like a thunderclap.

"Shut up!" she snapped, shooting him a glare. "Don’t talk nonsense!"